Convertible inclosure for vehicles



' Oct. 16 1923. 1,470,689

E. LOVER CONVERTIBLE INGLOSURE FOR VEHICLES Filed April .23, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 La 35 h is artoma, E

INVENTOR M $5M Eyhis ottorm 5AM 9&4

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. LOVER CONVERTIBLE INCLOSURE FOR VEHICLES Filed April 2 3, 1919 m wmnm Get. 16 1923.

E. LOVER CONVERTIBLE -INCLOSURE FOR VEHICLES Oct. 16', 1923. 1,470,689

Filed April 23 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 a 3 664 a, A 5 04' h 7 D J 0 //o I37. 1'" n2 INVENTOR by his attorney Oct. 16, 1923. 1,470,689 E. LOVER CONVERTIBLE INCLOSURE FOR VEHICLES Filed April 23 1919 .4 Sheets-Sheet 4 129 '1 I 40 M3 #5 INVENTOR' X I) h sattorne. v

Patented @ct. 16,1923.

' EDWARD LOVER, 'OFVBUFFALD, new-Yank, esslsivon To LOVER Tor &co1 TveRTEe e 00. mo, oresusiuifonnw YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

coNvERTIiiLE INCLOSURE FOR VEHICLES.

l Application fiieas in 23, 1919. Serial No. 292,158.

To all av/mm) it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD LOVER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Bufi alqin the county of Erie and State of New l'oik, have invented certa1n, newan l useful Improvements in Convertlhle Inclesures for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare the iollowing'to he. a full, clear, and exactdescription of the sanie, suchasfwill enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make amluse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

closures for vehicles. including, a vehicle top parts;

and to figures 01" reference inarlied thereon,

which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to convertible :in-

and releasable sidewalls.

glazed wall sections, whereby? said sections may be turned up within thdhollOw ofthe'" top frame and there secured, leaving a'free space below the'beanis of thet-op frame" v A. further object is to provide suitable hinges and locking :devices in connection the vehicle without tl1e' -use of tools;

terioi' of the wallsections,"

ture. p

' A, further object is to :providea con'vertihie inclosure for vehicles adapted to -fill wltll the hodyof a tandard. type'ot vehwl q with said wall sections, adapting the same for easy manipulation ln-convertlng the 1nclosure for open or closed use.

A further object is to providea releasable locking device for the wall sections, for securing them intheir proper'clos'ed' position, and havlngj the lock ng deviceop erable from either the interior or the ex;

" A Further-object offthislinventi provide;releasable attachments for the .wall

sections, wherebythey may he releasably at I upperpjart off" thelo we'rsash of the wall l'SGClTlOIl, shownin'Fi'gure 6, illustrating the tached'to the top fItlHie" LI1Cl the body of A further object: is to provide spring 117621119111 connection with the hinged parts of the wall sections vtor overcomlng-the 'weig'ht thereof, while" inanipulating the seam and "for keeping the sections in a state of tension within their holdings on the, ve-

hicle structure, to prevent rattlingand to give to the iinclosure a substantial struc- Like" figures of reference, refer to like Figures 1,2 and 3. 611. is '00 I wall 'seetion, shown partlv e'levated.

wall section in'place, as shown in Figures 1, -2an'd 3.

one which will be substantial and neat in',

ppearance. i

A furtherobject is to provide a closure having wall sections, which are moresuh stantial in structure, and appearance than the usual flimsy side curtains, used in connection with the vehicle top. r

A further object is to provide glazed wall sections having the locking'device operable from either the interior or the exteriorwall sections. 1

times fiViththse and other objects in View, my

invention consists in certain con'structiom one embodimentof which is illustrated in. the drawing s, is hereinafter Idescribed, the operationof the parts is explained and what I claim is set'torth.

In the drawings,

Figurel is an exterior side view of an inclosure embodying m invention, show-f:

ing the same mounted upon the body eta vehicle. j I

V Figure 2"isf'a sectional interior elevation of. the 'inclosureof the top frame shown in Figurel.

Figure 3 is a ,crosscsectional elevation of'the assembled in'closu're shown in Figures 1 and 2 lookingtoward'the rear.

.Figure 4 illustrates in fragmentary form, a top frame used with the in'clos'ure shown in"Figu re 1, and'hereshown partly open,

the construction of which is the subject of my c0 pending,application, filed'li/larch 14-, 1919, of Serial Number 28256941. Figure is atop plan, showing a complete sidel including wall section s forming part ofthe said inclosure and as shown in Figure?) is aper'spectiveview of a hinged I Figure 7 isasectional,elevation of the latching device for releasaloly holdinrf the Fi'gure8' is atop plan'of thesash locking device shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9. is sectional view of the ends of the hinged sashesof a wall section shown i u're'10illustrates a side elevation of a p st pereting the hinged' allseetions and f cute 14.

one mode of releasabiy attachingthepost to I the beam ineniber ot'the'top frei irgaiicl to 1;; side wall oi' thebody ofthe vehicle;

Fix ure 11 is a perspective-view .ofspring wouno hinging device with attacln'ng neans tor holdingjone'end o'f'awall section in spring supported pivotal relation with a spindle upon the zouter end of Figure of top begin with the'device shown me llattached thereto,

top beam.

Fi ures 13 and 1 show in sectional eleva tion two kinds of spring wound hinginq devices iused atopposite"endslof the top 01' the mid-wall section shown in Figures l and 2; that shown inFigure 13 being si-in-;

' to that shown in Fmures l1 and. 12

i l .igiire 1,5 is a fi'agzinjary perspectii'e of the keyed end of Figure 16 is a transverse section. showing the. arrangement of parts used-1111' con.-

nection with the front crossbar for heep ing the clothdech toplin a stretched con- (litiO lL 1 Figure. 17 illustratesg in sect-i011 111E112 ualli operated connection between the top beam one ofthe rear wall sections.

Figure. 18 1llustrat-es,;1n perspectwe; 'a

to, in which twoside beams, each composed of members numbered 20, '36,. 41 and 52;are

pivoted upon the inclined cross bow fiend: terminate in the :front cross bar '53,.the side beams are here lettered A and B re'spectivelyl In. Figure t is shown "the beam--Aipartly collapsed and supporting. the various crossbowiragments 14;, 30, 40,47, and

In Figures 1, 2, and 3, the'various parts of the inclosure and .top frame are shown assembled On: each. sidetherejare three wall sections, lettered respectively C, D, and. ll; The rear sectionC is here shown gre attached to theme. (A by nieans-ottheinanuallyuonera d --cla1nps 60 60,. shown in Fij ure 17 wherein the clamp 60 has a spindle 60?'journaled edunon thelsach oi";

1 the bracket 60.

. ction C. the leve c being fixed uno'n a ich' is fi. d a tongue. 60% which is, adaptenuto pass H vehicle bodv' wall byqa si nilar-devioe 61, as shown in'Figure '18; whereinabracket 12 is an elevation of a fragment 1n Fig the device shown other. end thereof, a lever d68 'end'oi the post 62 is provided with acurved tongue '64-; which fits a "similarly curved socketin theiblock 65', upon the body wall 1.. V

niigh sljotin'the top beam and to turn to lock the, section. Uto the, top beam: ;The iowerpatt of the sect-1on0- is locked to;

61 adapted to fixed to the lower part of the section" C, and the bracket 61 is adapted to be fined to the wallet thevehicle body 1.

are connected integralliy' with-7a spindle portion, not here shown; but similar to the spi1idle'60f,ot'Figure 17. The tongue 61 is adapted 't'opas s through a slot (li in the bracket 61;". The section C lies against the inci in ed how 3'. The-back covering K'the top 1 "a t'. 7 ne nciosnie to the eak 01. the wal I i respective local 11s A' and and swungwni out of the way and held in a manner similar to the hinging and holding of the wall sections D and E to the front thereof, which sections are /hereinaftei described." I j Forward of the wall sections, C, C on each n separated: by a post.62,- which is 3 connected with a top been (A or )gby a manually operated locking device,

H0118; lesined; these sections C, C may be hinged 8Q The brackets G'itand 6]. are locked togetl -r b3 thetongue 61 and the lever 6l, which frame, and the deck covering 53", complete i side :of the vehicle, arethe wail sections 1) tothat shown in Figures 17 and 1-8;

ire-ring to Figure 10, the clamp 63 isniade up of sp1ndle' 68" "pass1ng through. a sloth.

in top beam A, and journaled in thertopi of the"pest;62,l1a ing fixed at one end otthe spindlefiSfla tongne639, and fixed to 'the. The lower Each section Di and E isprovided with a pair of springewound hinting L devices, which differ from one another in their each device includes a T -bracket, one annle of whichhes agalnst an upper corner of a wall section, the opposite angleof winch is 1 open; {of these brackets has apart extend ng upward, to which is attached. a Y

spring wound barrel and rod; The spring .ma nner ofattachnient to the top beam, but

110. .wound devicedhmrkedtiti, in Figure 2.; is

shownin detaildin Figures 11, 12 anrl 13 V wherein a Prod. 67 iefixed turning in. the leg- 6830f; th' T brackettQk Ehis. rod

67. is sutroiinQedfal barrel 77 0 between which is provided with a set; screw 75, for

fixing said ring Hyztgainstturning-nporit e rod 67, {The ring '74: is also provided witl a plurality of; pocket-s 76576; adapted.- for receiving a tool-for turning-said ririjgTL. in

winding in the spring 71, Ti -The end: of-the rod 67 5s in threaded engan'ement witlra' cap nut, 77. 1 Referringparticularly. to

whichandthe rod- 671s a coiled spring 71}.- .anchored'at one end172', in the barrel 70;, end 73,2in a ring 74."

Figures 11 and-1'9',. the bagri el 70, is Gimme havingintegrjalltherewith "a 'inetal loop 78.

having 19.5579; and 80,'in which is journaled fixed onone' end' the spindle Big-which has hr. l

invoices thereofl'a tongue .82, spaced from the leg 80, by the spacer. 83.. The opposite end of the spindle 81, has'fifixed thereto, a lever 84' which has'an angular'projection 85' adapted for frictional'engagement with the barrel 7 0.. In Figure 12, there 'isshown a slot 86,- in the top beam' A, through which passed the; tongue 82, when attaching or detaching the hinging device. to the top frame.

11 The bpposite end of the section D is provided with a hinging device 66*. which is shown in section in Figure 1 To reieasably attach the device 66?.to the top beam A, there is provided an angular bracket 87,

92, of the barrel 93; there being an angular space for. the play of the tongue 91 between the shoulders 92 and 92 The T "cit 9 4,which is, part of the hinging I Qdevi c... l1as"integral therewith, the barrel Between the barrel 93,"and the rod 90,

. anchorh'd at 98 .to the ring 99, which T i 101'. iiorithe useiof a. tool inwin'ding the spring 96. The end ofthe rod 90 has .threadedthereto thecap nut 102. e

' The'wall'secti'ons D and E- are each composed of an upper and a lower sash, centrally hinged together. The section D is illustrated in detail, with its mounting in Figure 6, wherein the sash 103 has fixed at its upper end the hinging devices 66 and 66 above described. The sa'sh 103 is provided with two slid-able pan'esof glass 1041, 105. A recess 106v isprovided at each end of the sashlllii, on the inside, for the purpose of reaching the edges of the glass panes, when opening the same. The lower sash 101, of the wall section D is hinged to the upper sash 103 by means of the hinging devices 198 and 1.09, which contain coiled springs for tension 'betweenfthe upper and lower sashes in acondition of impending folding together oi said sashes; -The lower sash 107. is provided with twopanes oiiglassllO. 111, slidfor the purpose of reaching the ofthe window pane on opening the =21 There is also provided with the sash 10i' a handle 10'? fixed thereto. In thc'upper partof the sash 107 is av latching de vice -shown in detail in Figures? and 8, wherein a short rod'l12 is journaled and r ed thereto by means of the set screw .,,.Li a disk .1141. One end of the rod 112 has lined thereto a Stifif handle 11.5, on the n casing 120, isa compression spring section, a tongue 91 bears againstiashoulderf anchored at 97 to the barrel to turn 'upo'n the rod 90jexcept held thereto by the set screw lOO, the provided with a] plurality of the purpose ofkeeping an angular spring able therein which is provided with notches side oift-he'zcar. 'Piv'cted to theouter end of therod112, is thehandjle 116. To the disk 114, are attached two/flexible handle strips ll'i, andllS. The strip 117,,is fixed to a rod-119, whichiis in sliding engagement with the casing 120, of the latching'. device. Ther'od 119 terininates'externally in the beveled tongue 121, adapted for en' gagem'ent withthe recess 122, similar to the recess 122 on the opposite side of the post 62. The rod 119, lias' integral therewith a flange 123, between which and a wall ofthe 12 1, which nornially'lreeps ,the tongue 121 outward. The strip 118is fixed to a rod 125, which is in sliding engagement with the casing-12O, of'the latching device. The tongue 126, a't the end of -the rod 125, a flangef127, andthe spring 128, are similar respectively, to the tongue 12]., the flange 123-, and spring 124: above described. The spring 128, acts to keep the tongue 126 normally outward. Referring again to Figure 6,'there shown connected with thetop beam A," th'ec'ross bow 10, upon which is fixed" the spring clip 129, shown enlarged in Fi' e 9 whereiiithe sash'lfi is shown engaging the ledge 130, of the clip 129. The sash 10? is here shown. 'toliiled with-ithc sash 103-3 andhas the lip liil-iiearly contact with the iclip 129'. The fuii length oi the lower ed c oi the sash 107 is provided with a rubber cushion 132 i The post 62 is pr'i'ividedwith a stop 33, and wall section'C is provided with a stop 13 1, against which the wall. section D is crowded, when the same is closed down, having the cushion 132 in forced contact with the upper edge of the wall of the body 1. The wall section E is similarly provided with hinging devices etc., to that described for the section '1). But the lower sash 107 hasits lower front corner curved to fit against'an adapting piece 135, which fits in between the windshield post 136, and the section E; the proper window stops as .133 being provided. This adapting piece can be dispensed with by providing a windshield post of the proper contour tofit the front edge of the front'end of the wall section E.

Referring now to the deck stretching de vice, thcreis shown in Figure 16, a cross .bar 53' connected by the hinge 53", to the cross. piece 53 of the top frame; The cloth 53 of the deck is fixed to the cross bar 53*,

and 53 is spring pressed from the cross bar 53, by means of springshii 53 which enter pockets 53, 53", in the cross bar 53, each of which is engaged by astud 53twhich is in threaded. engagement with the plate 5 3 The stud 53 is provided with the flange 53*,

integral therewith and in contact with the spring 53. V

In operating the convertible inclosurc herein i l strat d and a ove escribed, 3s

us first assume that the top frame parts between the frame connection at the point 2 and the windshield 54 are all in extended position as shown in Figures and 23,- having the side beainsA-andB in fixed position and the parts thereof in line as also shown in the plan in Figure 5,-and it is de.

sited on account of Weather conditions toput on the Wall sections, as We would put on curtains in the old way. then positioned-as sliown inlFigui'es l and Each section G is 2. The lower part of the section C is attached resting on top of the Wall of the body l, by neaiis-oii the clamping devicesfil, 61, shown in detail in Figure 18. :The tongue 61 is passed through a slot in thepart 61 and is tui-nedas, shown to hold the'pai ts oft the clamping boain A 01 B, as the case may he, and the lever 60 is tui'iieddown as shown in Figures; .17 and 2, to holdthe sectioii'Giip against the top beam. in its place, a post 62, on each sideof the cai" lS lleXt positioned andplo'cked Having thus set each section Q shown in Figures 6 and 1( v The parts 135, 135 areiiext set iiiplaoe adjoining the Windshield '54, as shown in Fig 89? me 2. Next thespi'ings of the hinging de vices 6G and 66 are wound and set :at'the proper resistance, and the sections D and E are hung therewith havingthe tongues 82 0f the devices 66 and the square ends 89 of the devices 66 in their to er laces in and a on the beams A and B'.

device together. The 'claiiipsltit), '60 are next set by passing the tongue 60 of each through slot in the top there, as

Havin described H1" invention '1 claim I Y b I 7 1 in convertible inclosin'je, iidaptfBdiQh attachment to the bodylof a vehicle; the coins bination with atop frame" having ste ofa wall'section, and ieleasablehi-ngingf device pivot-ally attaching said section to said beam, said device comprising a bracket 'attachedtosaid section, a casing pivotally connected-With said 'bi'acket, and a'lo'cking 4 ineinhei naving a tongue attachedthereto;

lever positioned on said bracket saidtonmie l i 7 Q being spaced fi'onisaid'hracket and adapted toipass through a slot in said bean to be turned across a'lip of sa'id'slot to hold said 150 beam between saidtongueand said bracket A hin 'ing device adapted tofpivotally attach a sash to a fran e, compr sing a h 'ack et attached to said frame, a casing pivotally connected with saidziraine, a rod Within said j casing fixed thereto, afspiing'wound about;

'said rod,- Within said casing-and attached to SZtll,CdS111g,-.2t ring-adaptedtotiirii' on said; 7

rod, said iiiig being attached to said spring} ineansfoi"adjustably fixing' said iiig on said rod, and locking inejinbei" -,j'ouriialed on said 1 casing co npiisingaspindle joiii'naled on;

saidcasing, a'levei iixed'to one endof; said spindle and, a'ton gue projecti g atan angle from thel ot'heifend f-said rod and spaced f from said casing, .Wh'ei'ehysaid tongue ma p ass through SIOtiii-saidtraine and be turned to hold sa d frame between sa dcasr ing and itself} g 7 BEWAR L VER f i 

